Greater Things

By Paul Swamidass

There are no perfect leaders. God uses unprepared, untrained, incomplete, and unqualified people to "see and do greater things" for Him. He guides and gives vision, while equipping those He calls.

In this practical and inspirational book, Dr. Paul Swamidass explores how Biblical leadership skills and giftings are multi-dimensi

• Language: English
• Publisher: Leadership Books
• Release date: Dec 3, 2020
• ISBN: 9781735181493

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Copyright © 2020 by Paul M. Swamidass

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To my parents and grandparents for generational faith and blessings.

Jesus on Greater things

Then Nathanael declared, Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel. Jesus said, You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that. (John 1:50)

Preface

This book is a bird’s eye view of the qualifications of a Biblical leader, entirely based on the Bible. One would be surprised at the extent of material the Bible contains on the qualifications of a Biblical leader, which should be the norm for Christian leaders today; the terms Biblical leader and Christian leader are used interchangeably in the book.

An investigation of the qualifications of a Biblical leader is recommended for those preparing to be Christian leaders as well as those who are seasoned leaders. This book can serve as a tool to perform self-examination by future and current leaders to grasp what the Bible expects from them as Biblical leaders.

The topics covered in this book could be introduced at the start a Christian leadership training session before getting into the nuts and bolts of leadership training. Numerous books on the nuts and bolts of Christian leadership are in the market. Such books can be considered appropriate companion material for this book.

This book offers new and fresh perspectives on trying leadership situations and experiences of leaders in the Bible. Each chapter addresses a single leadership principle, therefore you may read the chapters in any order you wish.

The expectations, vision, and purpose of Biblical leaders are different from those of successful worldly leaders. Some key aspects of Christian leadership do not apply to secular, worldly leaders; if you wonder what they are, this book is for you!

The qualities that make a Biblical leader distinct from secular leaders can be found in Jesus, Moses, David, the Apostle Paul, and many others including lesser known common folks from the Bible. Their lives, their teachings, and their actions that are fit for leaders are scrutinized carefully to draw lessons on Biblical leadership in this book; each chapter is focused on a single lesson.

To be a Christian leader, it is not enough to know the leadership principles that are proven successful in the secular world or the leadership principles taught in a business school. The Apostle Paul’s vision explained by him to King Agrippa in Acts 26 and Moses’ call to lead at the bush described in Exodus 3 are unique to Biblical leaders. Jesus also expects leaders to practice justice, mercy, and faithfulness toward those they lead (Matthew 23). Furthermore, in the actions and lives of Moses, Paul, David, Solomon, Aaron, and others, we see the right things to do or the things to avoid as Biblical leaders.

Jesus exemplifies leadership. He offered Himself as an example when He taught the disciples about servant leadership. In the events from the Bible included here, Jesus teaches and admonishes leaders for their shortcomings; we can learn from both.

There are many examples of good leaders as well as failed leaders in the Bible. We can learn from both; that is the premise of this book.

The chapters are presented in a short format for use with or without a teacher. The chapters can be used in group discussions, too.

Leading questions are included at the end of each chapter. During self-study, the questions provide a sense of direction to the study, whether one is a beginner or a seasoned leader. Additionally, the questions at the end of each chapter are meant to enhance learning from the chapter. The questions could also serve as a useful tool during chapter-by-chapter group discussion.

Motivated leaders subject themselves to leadership development all their lives. Rob McKenna, in his blog The Leader Development Crisis for Christian Leadership Alliance (May 18, 2020), said this: Leaders develop in situations where they are pushed to the edge of themselves … and in situations where they are asked to lead at levels of scope they have never experienced before. We find excellent teachable examples of these very situations and experiences in the Bible.

This compact book of twenty-four chapters is the first volume in the planned series on Biblical leadership. After reading this book, I hope you would agree with me that the Bible is an endless storage of lessons for Christian leaders, who are on the journey to see (John 1:50) and do greater things (John 14:12). Jesus called ordinary men as His disciples to see and do greater things.

[Note: The New International Version (niv) is used throughout the book except one instance in Chapter 19, in which the use of the English Standard Version (esv) is identified.]

Paul Swamidass

Auburn, Alabama, USA

2020

Section I

Vision, Priorities, and Victories

Lesson

A Vision of Greater Things

Apostle Paul: Obey Your Vision

Apostle Paul: A Vision and an Action Plan

Driven by Your Top Priority

Lesson 1

A Vision of Greater Things

One of the most exhilarating moments recorded in the gospels occurred when Nathaniel met Jesus Christ. He exclaimed: Rabbi, you are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel! (John 1:49). Jesus’ response was timeless: You will see greater things than that (John 1:50).

In American slang, for emphasis,